Book 3: Party-Crasher

Hollis

I squeeze between Candace and her so-called father with a comfortable smile on my face. I’m just sitting down for dinner with friends, I tell myself. They invited me. There’s every reason for me to be here.

Hell, it’s not like I’m going to come up with a reasonable excuse for why I’m doing this.

“It’s been an interesting day, huh?” I say.

“Certainly.” King Kieran frowns at me. “If you don’t mind—”

“I will take more wine, thank you.” I hold my hand out for the decanter in front of the king.

His jaw works, but he hands it to me. I was right. They have too much at stake, with everything going on, to make a scene about me being here.

“What did you think of the ritual?” I ask King Anwen and Luna Estrella.

“Very unique.” Luna Estrella smiles tightly.

“What about you, Princess Candace?” Saying her name feels a little like swallowing a sword, but I fight to keep my smile fixed. I must look like an insane jester.